Janome AT2000D #Exciting Features #Janome’s first Air threading serger

You’ve likely heard of the exciting arrival of Janome’s AT2000D Professional serger; Janome’s first award winning serger featuring the amazing air delivery system for quick and easy threading.

Here’s a quick little sneak peak of what’s creating all the buzz.

There! Lower Looper threaded. DONE! No opening the side cover, no craning my neck around trying to position the thread and looper just right to find the right thread guide; none of that! What you heard was me lowering the Looper Threader Lever and Ta-Da! The lower looper is threaded in literally a second.

Now for the Upper Looper.

DONE! Again, you hear me raise and lower the Looper Threader Lever which activates the air delivery system to “whoosh” the thread into place. Amazing! Visit your Janome Dealer for more information and be sure to ask if they’re hosting our fun and informative “Dynamic Duo” Janome Education presentation, where you’ll find out all about the Janome AT2000D serger, the fabulous Janome CoverPro 2000CPX and more!

As if the amazing air delivery system weren’t enough, there’s a ton of other fabulous features which make the Janome AT2000D serger stand above the rest.

Needle Threader. Janome is known for their fabulous, easy to use needle threaders, and finally there’s a serger with built-in needle threader! Yes, it accommodates BOTH the left and right needles.

Safety. The machine won’t start with the looper cover or side cover open, or with the presser foot raised. In my haste to multi-task and rush to complete my projects with-in deadlines, I love a machine which does some thinking for me!

Simplicity. Instead of the usual two separate dials on the right side of most sergers, the Janome AT2000D has integrated the Stitch Length dial and Differential Feed dial into one.

Easy Conversion. The Janome AT2000D has a built-in Spreader which quickly and easily converts your serger from 4 threads to 2 threads; use the right needle and lower looper. My stiletto is pointing to the pin on the Spreader which “plugs” the hole in the upper looper. It’s great having the Spreader attached to the machine so you don’t have to worry about loosing it! When not in use it just swings back out of the way. Brilliant!

Continuing with that ease of conversion, it’s literally an easy flick of the switch to convert from regular serging to a Rolled Hem. The photo below shows my thumb on the switch and my index finger pointing to the chaining finger. When I flick the switch to R, for Rolled Hem, the chaining finger retracts. Note, I took the presser foot off and opened the looper cover for better visibility for the photo, but there’s no need to do either to convert to a Rolled Hem. This is by far the easiest set-up for Rolled Hem I’ve ever seen on any serger.

Speaking of easy, if you’d like to lower the Upper Knife when doing that Rolled Hem, for example, no problem! Again, no need to open any covers, (I did for better visibility for the photo) just turn the Upper Knife Release Knob, (the lower one in the photo below) and you’re done! I love that there’s helpful illustrations showing exactly what to do, although included with the machine is an informative DVD and instruction manual which explains everything in full detail.

8 Point Feeding System. Yes! 8 Feed Dogs! Janome is known for their superior 7 Point, Box Feed Feeding System in many of the higher range of sewing machines, including the TOL Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000 Quiltmaker, and now they’ve gone one step further to create an 8 Point Feeding System which means the Janome AT2000D serger will take any fabric with ease!

There are many more features I could list, but I’ll save those for future posts. Let’s see what the Janome Canada Educators come up with for quick, easy, and fun projects we produce while putting it this serger through it’s paces.

Visit your Janome Dealer for a test drive and easy threading lesson. You’ll be amazed and excited as we were – Happy Serging!

Me and my Memory Craft 500E

Hello again my Janome friends! Today I am going to introduce you to the Memory Craft 500E which is a machine completely new to me and maybe to you too? I am mainly a quilter and while I have done a lot of embroidery, it was by hand. I had only seen embroidery machines stitching out at quilt shows as though by magic. They seemed slightly intimidating and I was not sure that it would be something for me.

Then I had the chance to try one out on my own. This is the first of what I hope will be more blog posts showing you what a machine like the Memory Craft 500E can do. Hope you come along and enjoy what we learn together!

So first… the box. Honestly it is pretty huge and intimidating. But let’s move past that and get her out and see what she is all about.

Memory Craft 500E

http://www.janome.ca/en-ca/ca-machines/embroidery/memory-craft-500e/

Quite the machine I think you will agree! I am sensing huge potential here, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. She comes with 4 embroidery hoops: 7.9″ x 11″, 7.9″ x 7.9″, 5.5″ x 7.9″ and 5.5″ x 5.5″… so basically two rectangular and two square at very generous sizes.

Four hoop sizes to choose from

Let’s choose a thread colour, one to start… say this Janome red, and thread her up.

Janome Red !!!

Next let’s look at how we get her to stitch out designs and try a quick simple pattern that is already programmed into the machine… let’s try playing with a font…

Pick a hoop size, I am going to start with the 7.9 x 7.9″. Take the hoop, open it up, add a simple quilt sandwich of fabric, batting, fabric. As a quilter this is my comfort zone, but of course there are many other fabrics that you can embroider on. It can be a little tricky to get the hoop closed but once you get the hang of it, you will be on your way!  ALternatively, you could try out the optional 500E Acufil Quilting kit which has a hoop and magnets specifically designed to clamp the quilt rather than squeeze it into a regular hoop. 

I decided on stitching out my Instagram handle. This hoop is larger than I need but I am still learning so extra space is appreciated. Place the hoop on the hoop carriage and press start. Here goes…

hooped !

Wow! Pretty good for my first try… I need to get some snips to tidy things up.

how cute would a machine mat with all your social media handles on it be???

OK that was not so bad at all! Now to peruse Pinterest for all the potential stitching designs available… I will say this in advance, there are a lot! If you are planning on purchasing a pattern for download, below is a link to what you need to know about Janome embroidery formats. I will discuss this more in a future post, but until then, explore some simple designs built into the machine and dream of all the things that you and your Memory Craft 500E can make together!

http://www.janome.ca/en-ca/janome-embroidery-formats/

MACHINE MODEL OF THE MONTH: JANOME HD9 PROFESSIONAL

Janome has added a new sewing machine, the HD-9 to its professional series of machine models/ 

From a professional elegance to its exceptional robust quality, the HD-9 sews all kinds of fabrics, thin or thick. The HD-9  sews straight stitches only but there are several accessories to perform different precise techniques with straight stitching. By the way – HD stands for HEAVY DUTY! This can sew effortlessly through multiple layers of leather, vinyl. cork, denim, canvas and more …… AND you can also quilt and sew soft fabrics too! 

When I put the HD9 through its paces when it first arrived, I used all the buttons on the machine:

1. Stitch length
2. Reverse
3. Needle up/down
4. Speed Slider (which goes up to an amazing 1600 stitches per minute!)
5. Presser Foot pressure
6. Independent Bobbin Winder (how cool is this? Wind more bobbins without having to unthread the machine!)
7. Pre- tension disc
8. Variable adjustment for thick threads (upholstery, leather, 12wt thread and more)
9. Needle threader
10. Thread Cutter

The machine comes with all the necessary tools to start your first project.

It is a sewing principle that the length of the stitch should be compatible with the weight of the thread and fabric. I tested threads ranging from 60 to 30   – on thin and very heavy fabrics…. The HD9 handled it all very well…..No worries whatsoever!

Now here are the main features attributed to this robust machine:

Elegant and fast, the HD9 in the professional series of Janome is perfect for sewing and quilting. You’ll find everything you need to make projects quick and easy. 

Since this machine works with regular to heavy threads ranging from 60 to 30, there are unique points to know and understand:

1. Variable adjustment for the single-gauge thread 

2. Two different threads: for regular threads and for heavier weight threads. 

• Increases thread control
• Creates the perfect narrowing of a sewing point without having to adjust the tension when using heavier weight threads. 
• Stabilizes the tension of the thread when sewing through thick fabrics such as leather, cork, upholstery, outdoor fabrics and other heavy fabrics or materials.

3.  The needle plate is graduated and the foot is narrow

4. The HL x 5 needle is specially designed for sewing at high speed stitching

5. The top of the needle is round, the eye is sideways and the threader is integrated.

6. When sewing with an average weight thread, the automatic thread cutter is accessible via the thread cutter button. For the larger gauge threads, this is not a problem either with the new Heavyweight thread Guide. 

Visit the authorized Janome dealer in your local area to test this superb and robust Janome HD-9!

Originally Published on Vie Janome March 6 & 9, 2019 By Celine Ross.  Translated and edited by Anne and Liz.

Ed: Now that Celine has completed her testing phase with this machine, she says she is working on a genuine leather bag ……coming soon we hope.  And Liz has a lovely laptop tote (thick wool felt, vinyl and cork) sewed exclusively on the Janome HD9 to share with you next week ….. so do stay tuned! 

And we have several educators and artisans currently working with the NEW HD Roller foot featured here earlier this month. As soon as we have had time to put this foot through its paces, we will share the goods with you. 

 

GLAD YOU ASKED THAT: What is AcuStitch Tool and what is the NEW AcuStitch software?

Do you own the Janome Horizon MC15000 Quilt Maker or previous version of the Janome Mc15000 upgraded to Quilt Maker?

YES…….?   NO……?

This post is for BOTH of the above answers….trust me and please read on! 

The GLAD YOU ASKED THAT series looks today at what is AcuStitch Tool and AcuStitch software…….you can be forgiven for scratching your head and getting a teeny bit confused.  What is AcuStitch Tool and what is Acustitch software?  Please let me explain:

If you do not own a MC15000, please keep reading…..there is more for you below.

If you own the Janome Mc15000 as outlined above and have updated your HORIZON LINK SUITE  to the latest version (with that link that was emailed to you if you upgraded from a previous version of MC15000) or installed the HLS CD in your MC15000 Quilt Maker box onto your PC, then you indeed already have ACUSTITCH TOOL.  Yes, well, maybe you did not explore? Open Horizon Link Suite and then Embroidery Link Tool. Cast your eye along the top tabs and find “Convert to STX” tab.

Yes, I know, it does not say AcuStitch Tool but click on this and up opens AcuStitch Tool which was an update – and a FREE one at that!!!! Note the teeny, tiny little blue question mark ? in the top right corner of your screen. Click on that and VOILA! you have all the info you need to learn how to use this addition to the Horizon Link Suite of software for Janome MC15000.

If you do not own a Janome MC15000, never fear……..I did say above that there is more for you if you do not own a Janome MC15000: I did not lie: We have a brand new software called ACUSTITCH – yes, because it is similar to the one for MC15000 above except that it is stand alone software which you can purchase and install onto your PC if you own the following Janome embroidery machines: MC15000; Mc14000; MC12000; Mc9900; MC500E; Mc450E; Mc400E; Skyline S9 or Atelier 9; MB7; NS-40; NS-4; NS-o; NS-1. I am not familiar with all of these models (as some may be models in countries outside of Canada) but if you have one of them, you will know and then you too can experience the joys of ACUSTITCH!

(Just a little word – please RE-READ the list above before asking in the comment box below if you can use this software with your machine. If your machine is not on that list, then, no, you cannot. And if your machine is on that list …. the answer is yes!)

The Part # is 202-419-008 and you may purchase this from your local Janome Dealer. As it is so brand spanking new, they may need to order if for you. It is very inexpensive – way less than you would expect so treat yourself to some fun: create circles, lines, hexagons, octagons, triangles : sewing machine stitches to embroider in your hoop – perfect every time! Resize, re-arrange and change colours of stitches.  I have included the official bulletin about this new product below and after that some screen shots of the software process  – to show the cool things you can do with this software.

Janome girl did a great post last month on this new AcuStitch tool software with Project of the month how-to instructions. Check it out if you missed it.

We will be offering more posts in the coming weeks and months with inspiration and more for this new ACUSTITCH SOFTWARE.

 

This is the screen that will greet you once you open the new AcuStitch software – similar to but offering many more features and options than the one in Horizon Link Suite version 1.31. This software does do more than AcuStitch Tool – for example there are more shapes to choose from: not just a circle or line….see below: stitches have been arranged in a triangle

Pick a shape, pick a machine stitch from the built-in list in the software, make changes to the selected stitches in Advanced settings; add lettering (ABC in this example); add a border from Border or Normal Sew;  change colours, etc – many of the same features we have been enjoying in Embroidery Link Tool/Horizon Link Suite.  See pic below for some creative fun……and we have not even started to embroider this yet!

Write the design to your USB stick or send wirelessley to the MC15000 or Skyline 9.

Please note, I have only just scratched the surface of what is possible…..there is much more: how about this shape????

Please note that this is a Windows based software. It is not an App for your iPad nor is it a software which can be used on a mac without having parallels or similar on the Mac.

Getting excited???? We are and more will come in future posts so stayed tuned!

Visit your local Janome Dealer for more information and to order your copy of this software. 

CREATIV FESTIVAL WEST in ABBOTSFORD 22nd and 23rd March

Yes……it is time again for the Creativ Festival West in Abbotsford on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd March at the Tradex, Cornell Street, Abbotsford.

Check out this link for further information, brochure, class info etc.

We will be on the Janome and Elna booths to answer your sewing, quilting and serging queries and show you many of the NEW machines and tools we have this Spring………come on over! 

Janome has sponsored classroom machines in the Daisy room. Try them out? Like them? see us on the booth for show special pricing!

Dealers from the following stores will be in attendance on or Janome and Elna booths: Langley Vacuum and Sewing; Tom’s Sewing Centre, A Great Notion.

Cathy who teaches at Snip and Stitch Sewing Centre in Nanaimo is offering several classes….don’t miss them but especially this one below which is all about coverhems and how to achieve truly professional garments

New Tapering Feature on the Janome MC9450

Last month I gave you an overview of the Janome MC9450 and promised that I would be introducing you to one of its exciting features, the tapering function. I always try to keep my promises, so this month I’m going to tell you all about this amazing new feature.

You’ll notice the tapering function button right away when you turn on the machine as it’s the “new button on the block”, I mean, on the display menu. Our yellow arrow points it out.

I was quite excited when I found out that the Janome MC9450 had this feature and was eager to try it out to see how it worked. Let me explain what it is and how to use it:

The tapering function allows you to taper the beginning and/or end of certain stitches at a specific angle. While you can’t use the tapering feature with every decorative stitch on the Janome MC9450, you certainly can use it with quite a few of them, probably more than you’ll ever really need.

As with any decorative stitch, you have the ability to increase or decrease the stitch width or length, although there are some limitations when doing this. What I really find helpful when using the tapering feature is that you can preview it on the display screen on the Janome MC9450 before you stitch it out. This allows you to get exactly the look you want from that combination of decorative stitch and tapering feature.

You might wonder when you would use the tapering feature. If you are a quilter who likes to do appliqué, you’re going to love the tapering function! Rather than having to decrease your stitch width as you approach a corner or a point, you’ll be able to use the tapering feature and have it auto-magically come to a stop at a specified angle and then start up the next side, matching the angle of the first part of the stitch to where it previously finished. It’s just like magic!

If you are a garment sewist, you’ll be able to use the tapering feature in a similar way when adding decorative stitches to a garment. Imagine adding a decorative stitch to a collar point and have the Janome MC9450 magically taper to the collar point and then perfectly match the angle of the stitch as you go up the other side. You could also use the tapering feature to create a frame around a specific part of a garment or around a particular design in the fabric.

Once you’ve created a decorative stitch using the tapering feature, you can actually save that “created” stitch on your Janome MC9450 or onto a USB stick. You can also mirror the stitch that you have created. Such a handy feature to have!

It’s difficult to accurately explain the various choices you can make when using the tapering feature and how well it works, but if you click here you’ll be able to see exactly how well it works.  Ed: our thanks to Kim for this most informative almost 20 minute video on everything you might need to know about how to do tapered stitches on the Mc15000, Mc9450 and S9.

There are so many possible uses for the tapering feature on the Janome MC9450 I’m looking forward to using it in my raw edge appliqué projects. Just think of the possibilities you could use it for on your own Janome MC9450!

If you’d like more information on the Janome MC9400 and MC9450, please visit my Chatterbox Quilts’ YouTube channel.

Happy stitching from Kim Jamieson-Hirst, Janome Canada Artisan in Calgary, Alberta.

ED: Please note that this tapering function is also available on the Janome Skyline S9 and Janome MC15000 Quilt Maker (version3)

Stupendous Stitching goes High Tech! March Project of the month

Do you remember the Stupendous Stitching which kind of went viral on Craftsy.com some years back? I saw this technique done all over the place for several years ……here is the post we did back in June of 2012 using machine decorative stitches.

But here it is done with a totally different technique: All embroidery thread used was Madiera polyester embroidery thread ……now available from Janome in Canada – Ask your local Janome dealer today about Madiera thread.

Stupendous stitching just got revisited (above) in a totally new way by Donna Morton of Snip and Stitch Sewing Center, Nanaimo, BC. She took the concept of stupendous stitching aka machine decorative stitch embellishment and digitized  designs for our Janome embroidery machines. She digitized using both our Janome Digitizer MBX as well as Artistic Digitizer. Thank you, Donna, for showing us at Janome Days last month at Snip and Stitch Sewing Center exactly how to digitize Stupendous stitching with both of our software programs. Isn’t it so COOL that we can very easily digitize machine decorative stitches to stitch out in our hoops?  I am thrilled to show what I did with Donna’s digitized designs:

First up was to embroider the designs in the GR and SQ23 hoops and then remove the tearaway stabilizer. Then trimming to the size I wanted for the baggies.

I used the NEW Janome HP2 foot to quilt straight stitching between some of the embroidery – through all 3 layers. This foot was nothing short of brilliant as it zipped so easily and beautifully between the rows of embroidery stitching.

Shows the quilting on the inside of the baggie front panel

The back panels were quilted using a serpentine stitch in random directions and the Janome Acufeed Flex wide foot. Once front and back panels of baggies were quilted, it was time to construct the baggie.

Zippers were sewed in position using the HP2 Foot and the side seams and base of baggies were sewed using the Acufeed Flex foot and a Utility overcasting stitch. Little loops were inserted into the side seams for easy carrying or hanging up – depending on what might be put into these baggies?

Now, you don’t have to digitize stupendous stitching like Donna did. You may want to give it a try if you own embroidery software like our Janome Digitizer MBX or Artistic Digitizer.  OR you could use decorative stitches on your Jnaome sewing machine to replicate what you see in the digitizing here or in our previous post on Stupendous stitching. 

Want a tutorial on sewing up a little baggie like this? Check out this post we did quite some time ago with step by step photo’s and instructions. And here is a great video courtesy of Janome America where Erin shows you step by step how to make a vinyl zipper pouch.

For sewing supplies? Knitting? shoes? toiletries? cosmetics? medication when travelling?  …….you name it and they can have a nice, new, tidy “home”.

I am a self-confessed Dec stitch queen and love to embellish with dec stitches at every opportunity. However, doing the stitching THIS way, by digitizing and stitching in the hoop, was pretty darn clever and was also much quicker!  Thanks, Donna and Snip and Stitch Sewing Center for this great project idea for our March Project of the month.

What do you think? Are you inspired to do something similar? 

 

 

Quilting with the Janome Circular Attachment

The Janome Circular Attachment isn’t anything new; it’s been around for YEARS! It’s one of those tried and true, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” kind-of things. You can’t really improve on perfection.

Perhaps you’ve had one in your drawer for a while, or have been tempted to purchase one, but you’ve been waiting for a fun, creative project to use it. There’s lots of great inspiration to be found on Janome Life. Use the search box to the right of your screen to find all the previous posts.

I was inspired recently to use the Janome Circular Attachment for quilting a table runner. I wanted some soft circular lines to break-up the rigid lines of the piecing and majority of the quilting, which was done with one of my all-time favourite Janome presser feet, the Dual/Twin Acufeed Flex holder with standard AD foot.

This is when I really appreciate that so many Janome machines come with an extension table to provide a larger sewing surface, which makes the process so much easier. I certainly love the 11 inches of throat space which my Janome Horizon MC 15000 Quiltmaker  and all the other Janome Horizon range of machines models, provides.

Any presser foot can be used with the Janome Circular Attachment.

Be sure you select the correct Janome Circular Attachment for your machine, however, as there’s different parts numbers for different machine models. Visit your Janome Dealer for more information. You can see in the above photo that the bobbin cover is removed to fit the circular attachment into place. Use the little screw included to attach it to the needle plate, as well. Don’t worry – there’s full instructions on the back of the blister pack.

Use the Janome Circular Attachment to combine your machine’s decorative stitches with straight stitch quilting for your next quilted project. The decorative stitches were stitched first, including those to applique the centre circle, then all three layers of the quilt were quilted together with straight stitches, again using the circular attachment.

Have you avoided making a Drunkard’s Path quilt because of the curved piecing? Fear no more! Use the Janome Circular Attachment to applique a circle onto a background square then cut the square in half vertically and horizontally and viola! No curved piecing necessary!

Piece your squares into whatever pattern you wish. It’s THAT easy! You’ll have your quilt done in a flash!

The Janome Circular Attachment adds some fun and flair to your sewing and quilting projects. We’d love to see what YOU create with it!

Happy Sewing!

 

pineapple love tea towel applique

On the days you need a little creative break, why not make something simple, short and sweet… like this applique pineapple tea towel! For this project I used my fabulous Janome MC6700P that honestly makes every sewing task a pineapple delight!

http://www.janome.ca/en-ca/ca-machines/sewing/memory-craft-6700p/

 

To get started you will need the following:

• tea towel
• thread to match or contrast
• fabrics for applique (yellow, green and pink)
• fusible web
• fabric pen
• scissors for paper and for fabric

For this project you can either use a purchased tea towel or make your own from toweling yardage. I made my tea towel from a large cotton tablecloth (heavier weight) that I cut approximately 19 x 29″.  I then hemmed 1/2″ on all sides. In addition, I pre-washed my tea towel so that any shrinkage would minimally distort the applique.

Start by choosing the applique fabrics you would like for your two pineapples and three hearts. Next, prepare your tea towel for the applique by folding in half (length) and press. This will give you a centre guide around which to place your appliques.

pineapple-templatesDownload

My steps for fusible applique are as follows:

1. using a pencil, trace the shapes onto the paper side of the fusible
2. cut out the shapes leaving about ¼” outside the drawn lines
3. place the templates onto the wrong side of the fabric, glue side down
4. press with iron according to your fusible web instructions
5. ok now you can cut out the shapes on the pencil line!
6. mark the eyes and smile on your pineapples using a fabric pen and a bright window or light box
7. remove paper
8. arrange pieces on your tea towel using the image provided as a guide
9. press in place according to your fusible web instructions

Next stitch the edges of your applique with a straight stitch or any of the myriad of stitches available on the Janome MC6700P. This is an excellent project to try some of them out. This project can, of course, also be made on any number of other Janome sewing machines. 

Use either contrasting or matching thread depending on the final look you want. I chose a red thread to match the tea towel fabric as I wanted a distinct line on the outside of the applique shapes but remember a contrasting thread will show every little dipsy doodle! Keep your stitch length smaller to get around the shapes and remember to use your walking foot or Acufeed flex foot and lift it from time to time to re-position. Go slowly and you will be happier with the final result.

Your tea towel is ready to make her kitchen debut!

Take some time with your Janome to create something useful and beautiful, to keep or to share. I know you will want to make more than one! And if you are someone who really enjoys hand applique, this would also be a perfect project for that 🙂

 

 

FOOT OF THE MONTH: NEW HD ROLLER FOOT

This HD ROLLER FOOT  foot is brand spanking NEW and is in stock here in Canada. HD stands for HEAVY DUTY.  Please see the above bulletin with good information about what this foot does and when to use it.

 

To be clear: this foot is compatible with the following Janome machines:

1.  For Janome 9mm wide stitch, high shank models (well all 9mm wide stitch models are high shank)
2. For Janome 7mm wide stitch models which are also high shank excluding the Janome Mc6600P and Horizon Mc7700 which have the built-in upper feed mechanism)
3. For high speed straight stitch models: Janome 1600P and Janome HD9

This foot is not compatible with low shank models. Please ask your local Janome dealer if you are not sure whether your machine is low/high shank.

Visit us on the Janome booth at upcoming Sewing shows in Canada (During March , April and June) for a demo of this NEW foot or visit your local Janome dealer for further information.